The “Classic” Financial Advice that is BAD Financial Advice

Investing has changed , the work place has changed , family life has changed.

One thing that hasn’t changed are financial rules of thumb. “Rules” applied 25 or even 10 years ago, may no longer be relevant. Yet, I hear personal finance experts giving the same boiler plate advice.

Let’s look at what has changed recently that may affect your personal finances.

Formal education expenses have risen to a point where it has become unaffordable for many or massive debt needs to be undertaken, while the cost of obtaining the same quality education has lowered to near zero and can be done in less time

The ability to work from anywhere

So how does this affect some classic financial advice, let’s look at four different classic rules of thumb.

Financial experts tell you that the highest performing investment in history, has been the stock market. That’s true, if you’re comparing stocks to other mainstream investments such as bonds, cash, gold, real estate, etc…

What investment is missing?

YOU!

As in, your own ability to generate a positive return.

YOU can start your own business for $1,000 and generate $10,000 in one year. That’s not 10% return, that’s a 1,000% return.

Even though the 36% rule of thumb was in many of my textbooks on financial planning, I still think the credit card, student loan, and mortgage companies all got together to make this up.

My problem with the 36% rule is that the belief that 36% is good. 36% isn’t good. 0% is good.

Here’s how a typical American sees this rule of thumb.

They get out of college, hopefully with a job, and likely with some debt. Say their total student loan payments are 10% of their income. Knowing this, they buy a car and spread out the monthly payments not to exceed 26%. Therefore, not going over the 36% ratio of debt:income.

Six years go by and the car is paid off. Around five years remain on the student loan. Now, they go buy another car (It’s nicer of course). Again, spreading out the payments so that their debt doesn’t exceed 36%.

A few years go by and the student loans are paid off. Knowing this, they buy a house. Again, spreading out the payments to not exceed 36%.

In a few years, once the car is paid off, they take out equity in their home to redo the kitchen. Of course, not exceeding 36%.

This cycle of course continues.

My feeling is that 36% is fine for a short amount of time. However, you can’t get ahead if a large percentage of your income is going towards interest payments your entire life.

So let’s rework this rule of thumb to say, “Total monthly debt payments shouldn’t exceed 36% of monthly income for greater than 12-month period.”

Bad Advice # 4 – If you plan on living somewhere for 5 years or more, you’re better off buying than renting

What’s wrong with this rule of thumb?

Well, since you asked:

This rule of thumb doesn’t account for property taxes, insurance, interest rates, desired lifestyle, career stability, potential family size, quality of schools, current state of housing market, cost or renting in your area, availability of homes, amount saved for a down payment, size of your emergency fund, credit score, future earning ability, handyman skills, cost of furniture and appliances, risk tolerance, or the status of your current debt.

What I’m trying to say is it’s not as simple as a rule of thumb.

My best effort at reworking this statement is, “If you’re going to live somewhere for 5 years, look at the factors above and decide if it’s better to rent or buy. Start by discussing if owning a home is the lifestyle you want to live.”

What Statements Haven’t Changed?

A lot has changed but what hasn’t? What rules of thumb are useful today?

Here are a few I like:

Self insure what you’re able to, insure the rest.

Save for retirement before education.

Don’t invest in stocks, if you can’t afford to lose money.

Conclusion

Most financial rules of thumb are worthless. Make personal finance personal.

Think outside the box. Plan on living in the same house for 5 years or more? Experience has told me jobs dry up, good jobs can be blown by poor managers, neighborhoods change, & personal tastes change. Home ownership can be nice, but one may wish to have the flexibility wand in their back pocket. Debt, try your best to stay away from it as it severely restricts many other choices in life. Career risk, see note above! Best investment, “yourself”. Consider a field of work of which you really have an interest in, think about domestic travel or international travel and live like a local for awhile. Education and fun can come in many forms. New ideas and goals will be created and stepping stones will appear before you. Manage your financial and personal investments well and you will benefit greatly.